
Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 123 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking worth booking?
Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $16 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 123 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (123)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $16 per person
Discover the fun activity of mud larking, or beachcombing for washed-up objects along the foreshore of the Thames during low tide, on this hands-on excursion with a local guide. Your guide will contact you to provide the
What you get
About this experience
Discover the fun activity of mud larking, or beachcombing for washed-up objects along the foreshore of the Thames during low tide, on this hands-on excursion with a local guide. Your guide will contact you to provide the location and time, which changes throughout the year based on low tides. Make your own way meeting location, where you will be provided with gloves and a bag and tips on what to look for. Look for washed-up treasures, which could include clay pipes, pottery fragments, tiles, and other objects that you can spot with your eyes only. At the end, your guide will help identify your finds and provide historical context.
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- Gloves
- Plastic bags
Not included
- None
What you'll see and do
London
We visit the Thames Foreshore at various places during the year. Please contact me regarding times.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Meeting points ×s are different each month.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meeting points ×s are different each month.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Cultureseekers
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult
- Dress code is wellington boots or hiking boots as foreshore is stony and can be muddy
- All tours take place in the morning.
- All tours take place in the morning, please email me (robert@thamesbeachcombing.com) in advance re when we start"
- Not recommended for travelers who are unsteady on their feet
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 123 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
123 verified traveler reviews for Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great fun!
Lovely morning on Wapping foreshore with the knowledgeable Robert and a bunch of sociable mudlarkers. Wear wellies because it’s muddy. He provided gloves and plastic bags for our finds. Easy to book and find the meeting point. Value for money for this pensioner.
via Tripadvisor
Aug 2nd Experience
Me and my sister had a fantastic time doing this activity! We met outside of a tube station of which was quaint and clean. There was no stress about which exit or where it could have been which was fantastic. There was a small cafe 10 meters away which we got a bite of food and there is a toilet here too. We signed in with the gentleman and waited for everyone to arrive. We then walked around 5 mins down the road to the access point where a short health and safety talk was carried out. We were given bags and gloves, alongside being showed some photos of things to look out for. We then walked down some steps which were slightly covered in river silt but this is to be expected. There was a small jump down to the riverbank of about 2ft but people were helping each other and it was not too significant. We were then shown where to walk and how far we could go and allowed to explore. The guide was knowledgeable and would help to identify things when shown. He was also litter picking as we mudlarked. We ended up looking for about 1 hour and 30 mins which was a good amount. Me and my sister originally joked about there not being enough to go around but we were absolutely blown away at the amount of pottery sherds, glass, and other stuff there was to collect. I never felt rushed or crowded during the experience. I would suggest wearing wellies or waterproof shoes but lots of the group wore trainers and were absolutely fine. Although it seemed a little pricey, it was absolutely worth it and I would go again!
via Viator
Great fun!
Simple booking process, easy to find meeting point, relaxed guide, excellent spot at Wapping, lovely sociable fellow mudlarkers, and great value for money for 2.5 hours! 😎🙏
via Viator
A little mud, a lotta fun
Robert was extremely knowledgeable about all of the sherds and trinkets that we might find in the river. He took time after the activity to help everyone identify items and explain what era they came from. This was a bucket list item for me. I’m glad I had such a great guide!
via Viator
Fun on the foreshore
Great experience! The guide was knowledgeable about the history and types of finds on the shore. It was fantastic to have a chance to find bits of history. Wear waterproof shoes & bring hand sanitizer for afterwards.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sun
- Price range
- $16 to $40
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 43
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking cost?
+
Prices start at $16 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking take?
+
Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 123 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking?
+
Around 43 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
+
London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
+
May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Thames Beachcombing/Mudlarking.
Pick your date




